Rams 2018 free agency preview: RB Malcolm Brown

Malcolm Brown saw his role increase dramatically in 2018, setting career highs in games played, carries and yards. He proved to be a valuable backup, but he wasn’t anything more than that: a backup.

Will that be enough to lead the Rams to sign him this offseason? As a restricted free agent, they have a good chance to do so, but given the devaluing of running backs in the NFL, they may be unwilling to pay more than $1.8 million in 2018 alone.

Analysis

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Despite Todd Gurley’s monumental success in 2017, Brown saw his biggest workload as a pro this past season. He had nearly three times as many carries in 2017 as he had the previous two years combined with 246 of his 302 career rushing yards coming this past year.

He did all that in only 11 games, averaging 5.7 attempts per game. Gurley saw his workload decrease as the season went on and was rested in several fourth quarters throughout the year, giving way to Brown’s increased touches.

Although he only averaged 3.9 yards per carry, Brown broke off several big runs with eight of his 63 carries going for 10 or more yards. He also caught three passes that went for more than 12 yards, two of which came against the Seahawks early in the season.

Positional need: Low

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The Rams aren’t in desperate need for a running back because Gurley is there, but they could use a backup to spell him and keep him fresh. Lance Dunbar struggled in that department this past season, but Brown did a decent job when it comes to giving Gurley some relief.

With only Gurley being under contract in 2018, the Rams are going to need to add another running back to the mix. Whether that’s Brown and a rookie or another combination, look for the running back room to have a couple new faces next season.

Prediction: Signs two-year, $2.4 million extension

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As a restricted free agent, Brown will be easier to retain for the Rams. An original-round tender will be more than $1.8 million in 2018, which is a bit of a high price to pay for a backup running back. The Rams could draft a player in the later rounds and pay him less than $1 million per year, which makes that tender more expensive than the Rams would probably like.

Ultimately, I think Los Angeles will extend Brown for a couple more years, and if not, he’ll walk in free agency.

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